Intraoperative Doppler velocity measurements to locate patent ITA grafts at reoperation

Ann Thorac Surg. 2006 Sep;82(3):1108-10. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2006.01.036.

Abstract

We are reporting a case of a patient who underwent an aortic valve replacement with previous coronary artery bypass grafting. During the operation we used a Doppler velocity probe to locate the exact position of the bilateral internal thoracic arteries. Once the vessels were identified, a suture was passed widely around each internal thoracic artery and a snare was positioned. With the aid of the Doppler velocity probe, we achieved a gentle occlusion of the vessels, applying enough traction on the snares to abolish the flow through the internal thoracic arteries.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / surgery*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / surgery
  • Echocardiography, Doppler / instrumentation*
  • Flowmeters*
  • Heart Arrest
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Humans
  • Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis*
  • Intraoperative Care*
  • Male
  • Mammary Arteries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mammary Arteries / transplantation
  • Middle Aged
  • Reoperation
  • Suture Techniques